Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize a $50,000 contract with Equitas Health, formerly the AIDS Resource Center, to continue a partnership to support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program called Safe Point. Columbus, along with other major cities, has been plagued by an opiate epidemic that is a crisis of unparalleled proportion, with devastating, often deadly consequences. The harm reduction services provided by Equitas Health during FY 2016 were responsible for 60.3% of clients having access to the lifesaving drug, Naloxone. According to client data, at least 187 lives were saved because of naloxone access provided by Safe Point. 43.79% of clients were given access to an Alcohol and Drug consultant; 13.16% of clients were given referrals for medical services; and 13.61% of clients were provided referrals to behavioral healthcare services.
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Equitas Health (Contract Compliance No. CC004721 - expires 02/17/2018) is a not-for-profit organization and therefore exempt from Contract Compliance certification.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to avoid delays in the implementation of these services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total cost of the contract is $50,000 and is available in the 2017 budget within the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to provide continued support and expansion of a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to continue to provide support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point; and
WHEREAS, Equitas Health has the necessary experience and expertise to provide said services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to contract with Equitas Health to allow services to proceed without delay and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to provide support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
SECTION 2. That to pay the costs of said contract, the expenditure of $50,000 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250, Department of Health, Division No. 5001, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. This contract is being awarded in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code dealing with awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.